What do you think about the University's Diag policy? Call the Reader Response Line, 764-0553, and give us your opinion. A T Will Matthews waxes poetic about perceptive author Annie Dillard, who will be visiting Ann Arbor tomorrow. The Daily sports staff examines the new look and leadership of the Michigan Athletic Department in an in-depth series of reports. Today Cloudy, chance of rain;..... High 69, Low 53 Tomorrow Rain likely; High 74, Low 56 I1 lrnl One hundred two years of editorial freedom I- Vo. 11,No I2 An. *.Mihi Mna, S Ie * i* I 20,01993 © !a0F Pollack stumps in Ann Arbor By WILL WADE FOR THE DAILY The North American Free Trade Act (NAFTA) was the focus of Lana Pollack's address last night, as the Michigan state senator (D-Ann Arbor) hostedafundraiser to support her bid for the U.S. Senate. "It's not the wrong direction," said Pollack. "It's just the wrong treaty." While the senator said she supports the idea of free trade and a world market, she takes issue with certain provisions oT the treaty. "NAFTA, as it is currently written, would prohibit states from passing environmental, worker safety and health laws that exceed federal standards," announced Pollack to about 300 local Democratic supporters. The treaty, as interpreted by Pollack, would allow state laws to be challenged as impediments to free trade if they are more stringent than federal regulations. The $100-a-plate dinner was Pollack' s fifth fundraiser in less than two weeks, and the first in Washtenaw County since she announced Aug. 2 her intention to challenge Sen. Donald Riegle (D-Mich.) for his Senate seat. The event raised about $40,000, said Campaign Manager Barbara Fuller. Fuller said the campaign will spend $2 million before the Democratic primary Aug. 2, when Pollack and Riegle go head-to-head for their party's nomination. Thatcontestmay bea greater challenge than the Novem- ber election, said Fuller. "Right now we're focusing on the primary. I'll worry about what to do next August third after the results come in on the night of the second." The incumbent Riegle has faced increasing criticism since being identified as one of the "Keating five" in 1991. Riegle was accused of receiving campaign contri- butions from Charles Keating, in exchange for using his power as a member of the Senate Banking Commission to protect Keating's failing Lincoln Savings. Although Riegle was cleared of any wrongdoing, this link to the Savings and Loan scandal has continued to plague him. "Ideologically there's not a whole lot of difference between Lana and Riegle," said Fuller. "Mainly it's a character issue." Pollack alluded to the character issue in her speech, saying, "I think I can do a whole lot better than the guy who's there now." However, Pollack has caught flack from within her own party for challenging a fellow Democrat. Riegle has already received the endorsement of the five female Democratic senators. See POLLACK, Page 2 Riegle blasts free trade agreement By SCOT WOODS DAILY STAFF REPORTER Michigan's senior U.S. senator, Donald Riegle, railedagainsttheNorth American Free Trade Agree- ment (NAFITA) and urged bi-partisan cooperation on the health care issue in a speech to the University of Michigan College Democrats last night. Riegle spoke for more than an hour to a recep- tive standing-room crowd at the Michigan Union Pond Room. Jeff Gourdji, the chair of the College Demo- crats, said that a speaker of national stature tradi- tionally appears at the mass meeting to drum up recruits. He added that the invitation was not an endorsement of Riegle for the upcoming Demo- cratic primary. 'We want this to be a platform for all of the candidates," he said. Riegle has comeout forcefully against NAFTA, and sponsored a nationally-televised rally in Lan- sing Saturday with Ross Perot to defeat the treaty. NAFTA is a trade agreement that would lower tariffs and other trade barriers among the United States, Mexico and Canada. At the Union, Riegle used anecdotes about Michigan workers to illustrate his position. He said American workers would lose their jobs to lower-paid Mexican workers. Riegle likened the issue to the Vietnam War, saying that the decision-makers are gambling with other people's lives. "I see, in a different form, some of the same elitism behind this Mexican free trade agree- ment," he said. "I see a lot of people who are out of the line of fire and will not lose their jobs ... and they're for the NAFTA." The senator said NAFTA was flawed be- cause it was put together by a collection of special interests and could not be rescued. "I don't think we can correct this one," he said. "It' smisdesigned so you basically have to scrap this one and start over." Riegle noted that he was the co-sponsor of other legislation aimed at increasing trade with. Mexico at the expense of trade with China. Democratic Sen. Fritz Hollings of South Caro- lina authored the bill, which has not received much national attention. See RIEGLE, Page 2 PETER MATTHEWS/Daily Sen. Donald Riegle speaks at the Union yesterday. Perot visits Lansing to protest NAFTA By RANDY LEBOWITZ and DAVID SHEPARDSON DAILY STAFF REPORTERS LANSING - Angry workers crowded the steps of the state Capitol building Saturday to hear former inde- -pendent presidential candidate Ross Perot challenge citizens to continue to fight the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) until itisdefeated. NAFTA would eliminate most tar- iffs and trade barriers among the United States, Mexico and Canada. If approved by the House and Senate, the legislation would take effect Jan. 1. Shouting blistering criticism of both the Clinton administration and business leaders who supportNAFTA, the crowd paraded around the Capitol with signs that expressed their bitter resentment toward a treaty they felt would cost them their jobs. Lansing native Mary Crosby, who has worked at General Motors for 15 years and who attended the rally with her daughter and 14-month-old grand- daughter, said she believed NAFTA would reducejobs throughout the market- place, not just in the auto industry. "This is going to cost American jobs in my plant and in plants across the country," she said. The smaller-than-expected crowd gath- ered tohearaparade ofspeakers including members of Congress and entertainers. Sen. Donald Riegle (D-Mich.) spoke with such passion against the agreement that he nearly lost his voice. "NAFTAis a loaded gun pointed at the working people of America," he said, ig- noring an airplane that flew above the Capitol carrying a banner that read, "Re- member the Keating Five: Dump Riegle." The banner refers to Riegle's alleged con- nection to the Savings and Loan scandal. Although Riegle has been cleared of con- nections to the Savings and Loan scandal, his character has come under question. Helen Bentley (R-Md.) and Marcy Kaptur (D-Ohio) also spoke. Kaptur spoke of her personal experi- ence as a factory worker for 12 years in northern Ohio. "(NAFTA) will especiallyhurt women and minorities working to raise families on meager salaries," she said, "while also hurting underpaid workers in Mexico." Perot, who arrived one-and-a-half hours late, much to the displeasure of those who had arrived early to get a good spot near the steps of the Capitol, personally challenged President Clinton to attend one of the similar rallies he will be leading across the country. He referred to Clinton's pro-NAFTA rally in New Orleans last Friday, to which only 500 select supporters were allowed to attend. "They usher in 500 people and then they lock the doors tight and they don't allow any opponents in," he said. "Here we'll allow any- body to come." Perot displayed his flair forhomespun rheto- ric in explaining why NAFTA would cost jobs and its effecton the tax system which allows for "a $50,000-a-year housekeeper for the vice president." "No matter how hard you sweat, if you're not working, you are not paying taxes," he said. Putting in face time were gubernatorial candidates Howard Wolpe and Debbie Stabenow, who are vying for the chance to challenge Gov. John Engler in 1994. Perot-fans trek to Lansing By RANDY LEBOWITZ and DAVID SHEPARDSON DAILY STAFF REPORTERS LANSING - While many students re- mained in bed Saturday recovering from the previous night, Jim Harnsberger and Keva Silversmith planned to shuttle students to Lansing to hear Ross Perot bash the NAFTA agreement. The trouble was no other students showed up. A third-year graduate student in linguis- tics and a native of Macon, Ga., Harnsberger said he had been contacted by half-a-dozen students who expressed interest in attending the rally. However, when he arrived atB ursley Hall Saturday morning in his $40 rented blue Ford Tempo, no one was waiting for him. Silversmith, a LSA junior from McLean, See UNITED, Page 2 Yzaguirre calls upon Hispanics to strenghten their ethnic ties By JUNIE ROBINSON DAILY STAFF REPORTER Aztec blessings and a traditional Mexican folk dance performance welcomed Raul Yzaguirre, president of The National Council of La Raza - the nation's largest Hispanic organization -when he spoke at the Michigan League Friday. Keeping with the theme of the University's Hispanic Heritage Month, "The Many Faces of Our Past: The Many Voices of Our Future," the night began with some dances from the past to entertain the estimated 150 members of the audience. Kalpulli of Ann Arbor performed its Aztec blessings with smoky incense, the bellowing sound of a conch shell and a pulsating drum beat. Then Los Hijos de Aztlan brought the dance floor alive with its colorful costumes and rhythmic footwork. For 35 years Yzaguirre has advocated civil rights. As a Hispanic activist whose national status grants him many opportunities to speak of the growing Latino presence, Yzaguirre brings to mind the many responsi- bilities for the future. He related many humorous anecdotes to the students and faculty gathered. Yzaguirre focused primarily on the importance of strengthening the common ties between Hispanics in the United States rather then letting their differences drive them apart. "Many people have a sense that Latinos are not organized and are with out an agenda. The problem is we have the highest family values of anyone else in the country ... we are going to make it eventually," he said. His final words to the audience were, "Nuestro futuro, nuestro destino, estA en estas manos" - meaning "our future, our destiny, are in our hands." The audience thanked him with a standing ovation. Student coordinators said they were pleased withthe results >.,. ..... ,v h . 0 m